Crochet Doilies Pattern Lily Leaflet D-11

I've been working my way through a stack of leaflets the last couple of days.   Near the end, I came across two individual leaflet patterns with the same number.   Now, I've found this a frequent occurrence with the Design Mail Order patterns, but nowhere else.

The case at hand are leaflets from Lily Mills. Leaflets are numbered D-11.

Rock Rose Ruffled Doily is my guess the older of the two.   I'm placing late 1940's, or perhaps early 1950's, based on the paper quality.   It's a lovely ruffled doily, with a repeating rose central motif.
This is followed by:

Pineapple Centerpiece, estimated as early 1960's.   It's a large, 18 inch diameter, beauty with tall proud ruffles.   It also bears the 'Design of the Season' logo, leading me to believe that Lily has a series of leaflets in the series.  I do not, however, have any others .... I'll have to keep a watch.

So, these leave me to ponder.   Was this just a random mistake, an oversight?   Or, will I start seeing pattern number repeats as is done in the Mail Order patterns.   Of course, I don't. know.

Thanks for dropping by for my random musings.
Lorrie

Scintillating Pineapples Crochet Pattern Set

Now, I've written a number of blog posts about Mail Order (Away) patterns, but this particular pattern leaflet was a first for me.

Leaflet T.C. 8 -- where the T.C. stands for True Confession.   Do you remember that magazine (or perhaps you are a current subscriber!).   A magazine with scintillating deemed stories aimed for the young woman; not quite pornography, but certainly not General Housekeeping either.

But, of course, women of this liking would enjoy crocheting as well.  I had just never thought about the magazine offerings being in places other than those periodicals aimed directly at Needlecraft artists.

This is a two page, open fold leaflet, T.C. 8, with two popular patterns, vintage 1950's, from The Spool Cotton Company.  Shown above is Pattern No 7857, a round pineapple daisy luncheon set.

The inside pattern is No 7855, a matching runner is a similar motif that measures 15 x 40 inches.

This pattern leaflet, in PDF form, is available in the shop, should you be interested.

The appearance of this pattern leaflet in my collection stack, makes me wonder what other magazines contracted with the Yarn and Thread companies to feature their pattern as mail-away's.   I'll keep my eyes open, and if you know of others, do let me know.

Thanks for dropping by,

Crocheted Owl Pattern, Mail Order Designs

I'd assume that Owl's have been popular forever.   I mean, seriously, who doesn't like an owl?  But, I think with the popularity of Macrame in the 1960's, the owl became a natural; the colors so perfect for the jute cords.  And, where macrame went, you can bet the crochet fiber artists were sure to follow.     #Among the most popular of craft patterns for the time period were the Mail Order Designs starting in the late 60's.   It was easy marketing, reaching the entire country through newspapers.    Here's a couple examples:  #

Design 481 - Crocheted Owl Wall Hanging 10 1/2 x 21 inches.   

Design 672 - Crocheted Pillow in two sizes.    A shell stitch beauty, the pillow and owl are worked separately and joined.    Do you see the resemblance between these two .... yep, same owl.   This is very frequent with mail order patterns; variations of the same design.

Design 496 - Crocheted Hot Plate Mat in two sizes - 9 x 11 and 7 x 8.  I've no doubt you could also attach a hook to the back and create colorful kitchen wall hangings with these as well.

Are there more?   Of course there are.   And, as I get them reworked for the shop, I'll come back and add them in.

Thanks for dropping by,

Bedspreads and Tablecloths Crochet Patterns Book No 301

For this review, let's take it all the way back to 1953.  (I don't know about you, but that's before even I was born!).  In this time, the flight to the suburbs continues, many women continue to be stay-at-home mothers, and fashions are on the sleek side, which were termed Modern.  (Relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past).    The book is ....

J&P Coats & Clark's Book No 301 Bedspreads and Tablecloths

The inside cover promotion:  AMERICAN MODERN ... the prettiest, most practical style of home decoration that flows more and more popular every year.  To prove that creative crochet is always charming, we have chosen representative examples of contemporary American furniture and have designed harmonizing bedspreads and tablecloths.  And, as an outlet for your imagination, we give you a selection of motifs, to make whatever you desire in the thread of your choice - which, of course, will be the best -- Coats and Clark's O.N.T. Crochet Cottons.  

S-435 California Modern is made of 4" medallions.

S-436 Pennsylvania Modern - The two color display gives this design a bit of a geometric look.  Square are 3 1/2 inches.

S-437 Maryland Modern is the first 'fitted' spread I've seen in any of the pattern books.   It is accompanied by a 10 inch bolster.  The medallions are 3 inch.

S-483 Texas Modern is a 6 inch medallion in an octagon shape with a circle center.  A quite appealing design.

In the middle of the book, Coats & Clark's decided to take a bit of a shortcut and give us samples of the medallions only, with a small sketch next to it to further imply possible uses.  The theme .. let your imagination to wild; use these for cloths, chair sets, whatever.  Note that the bottom left square is actually a hairpin lace panel.  (P.S. -- I'd imagine most of these, crocheted in knitting worsted, would make great afghans).   These motifs are scattered among the crochet squares/medallions category.

And the back cover is graced by the stunning S-447 Oregon Modern.   This beauty, in wheat motif, measures 66 inches in diameter and will become the central focus in any room.

And, that's it.  At first I though it was light on tablecloths until my thinking cleared and realized the medallions in the center of the book were all multi-purpose.

There's some nice selections in here.   Those of you who may have inherited some of these designs ...
what a delight.  For the rest of you, perhaps you should get those hooks ready and create future heirlooms.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Hand Knit Fashions in Tweed, Bernhard UllmanVol 32

This pattern book, Volume 32, is just the 4th book that I've worked through in the Bernhard Ulmann collection, and I must say, it's quite delightful .... as well as a nice deviation from the doilies and bedspreads I've mostly been working through lately.

This book takes us back to 1957; designs have not yet taken on the mod colors of the 1960's, but are not entirely the form fittings styles of the earlier 1950's.  

Hand Knit Fashions in Tweed - Volume 32

Volume 32 was created as a promotion tool for Bernhard Ulmanns Tweed brand yarns, Bear Brand Tweedmoor and Fleishers Glen Tweed, as well as Bear Brand Sport Tweed and Fleishers Sport Tweed.  That goes to say, then, that all of the patterns in this book will feature these specific yarns (a quite attractive selection!). 

No 668 Windbreaker Suit - The skirt, as is typical, is a straight design and quite standard fair.  But, what a splendid jacket.  

No 667 - Box Coat is made an above standard design with the fabulous collar and fold-back cuffs.  This loose fitting design is one that would be so comfortable. 

No 679 Ribbed Sheath Dress is an elegant design that became quite remarkable with the all over rib pattern stitch, then taken over the top with the contrast collar.  

No 672 - Ribbed Stole is a quite easy design that is simple rib stitch with long fringe ... a warm and elegant choice.  

No 673 - Lace Stole is also an 'extra easy' design perfect for beginners.   This pattern is offered as a free download. 

No 681 - Cable Cardigan gives bold and broad cables that definitely pop out on the tweed background.  The back is cabled as well.

No 676 Girls Clock Socks .... remember this term?  (Clock socks have a narrow pattern (not usually clocks) that runs up the leg and along the foot. Looks like clock hands when viewed from the side).  

No 674 - Two-Tone Weskit.  This fitted vest has the marvelous checked pattern stitch on the front and a striped motif (created by the tweed yarn), on the back.  This design yells 'Fun'. 

No 675 - Jiffy Knit Jacket:  How cute it this?   Chunky and Bulky and, well, cute!  And it's an easy design that beginners could tackle.
No 678 - Fringed Shortie - Another cute design with the subtle patterning of the tweed.  The fringed collar adds that bit of 'fun' as well.

No 677 - Men's Classic Socks - a marvelous tweed for the professional man.

No 666 - Sleeveless Pullover for our men features the grand argyle design on the tweed background with extra wide ribbing at the bottom.

No 669 - Jumper is a simple, attractive design perfect for everyday wear.  The tweed yarns give the design just a bit of texture.

And, that's the complete book.   The book cover being the same as the front.   I found it interesting the socks pattern did not contain a size, but I'm not a knitter, so perhaps it's a knitting skill that one just knows when to add on or subtract (?).    

My favorites here are the Ribbed Dress and the Jiffy Knit Jacket; either of these would be a welcome addition in my closet.   You; what are your favorites?  

These patterns, complete with listed material requirements, are listed in the shop should you be interested.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Knitted Coats for Madame and her Dog

Although  not in the hundreds, I have come across a fair number of knitting or crochet patterns that are designed for mother/daughter, or father/son, or even brother/sister, but this is a first for me !

May I present two knitting designs that are woman/dog, or whatever combination in which you might like to think of it .... perhaps human/canine ?

These knitted designs came out of McCalls Needlecraft Magazine - Fall/Winter 1963.  I will say the pullovers are both great looking designs, as well as the dog coats.   I particularly like the dog coat on the right ... complete with pockets to carry those small things the 'walker' might need.    But, the set together, well, that's just 'too cute'.

I've listed these in the shop, should you be interested in creating the ladies pullovers, or dog coats.   But please, if you knit (and wear) the combos, please send me a picture !

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie

Womans Day Knitting Pattern Leaflet HH-46

Tucked away, in the September 1946 issue of Woman's Day Magazine  .....

....  is a three page spread across pages 39 - 44.   Here, the reader is shown a number of knitting patterns for the home.

 Starting with three afghans ... all of relative standard fair, however, perfect knitting projects for the beginners among us. 

 Standard fair ... as is the diagonal rug and the baby crib cover.   But there standard fair stops.   I've seen many knitting patterns, and as for the lap blanket and the four knitted doilies .... all quite unique design motifs.   I was thinking I'd never seen these before ... anywhere ... so I went out and did a few Google image searches and found nothing.  These two bedspreads. ... the same.  Now, the top bedspread is somewhat similar to a design called Evensong, but the same ... nope.  

 And then, on the third page is this lovely knitted design ... a pinwheel bedspread.   Now, the pinwheel itself is not that unique, but this particular one, I didn't find in any search.

Typically the patterns that appeared in the magazines were sponsored by one of the advertisers and just who was alway obvious by the brand of thread or yarn called for.   In these designs, the threads are generic - no brands listed.

These patterns were the mail-away variety and not included in the magazine.  If the reader wanted them, they had to send a Self Addressed 3 cent stamped envelope and they were mailed back.   A teaser, you might say.

Should you be interested, I've listed several of these designs in my shop.

For just a little more fun, on the back page of the pattern set, was this promotion ....

How about those prices !!

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie